From 24-inch waist to 40 inches: Rupali Ganguly opens up about body-shaming after weighing 83 kg post son's birth. How did she overcome it?

For fans, Rupali Ganguly may always be the confident and fiery Anupamaa from the hit TV show, but behind the scenes, her personal journey has included emotional challenges many women face. Recently, the actress spoke about the struggles she went through after childbirth, especially around her body image. After welcoming her son Rudransh in 2013, she saw major changes in her body and faced the weight of public judgment, emotional stress, and societal pressure that often come with being a new mother.

Rupali Ganguly on body-shaming and gaining weight after pregnancy

After giving birth, Rupali said her weight had gone up to 83 kilograms. The actress revealed to Telly Talk that she began "avoiding mirrors" because she no longer felt confident in her appearance. She recalled hearing comments from people about her weight gain, which deeply affected her emotionally. Rupali admitted she struggled internally. Going from a 24-inch waist to 40 inches left her feeling uncomfortable and unfamiliar with her own body.


Rupali also spoke about how casual remarks from people about her weight left a lasting impact. Some even said she had become “very fat,” and such comments would stay with her long after they were said. Like many women, she found these unsolicited opinions especially hurtful, as she was already dealing with the emotional and physical challenges that come after childbirth.

Through this tough phase, one constant support in her life was her husband, Ashwin Verma. Rupali shared that he never made her feel less beautiful. His kindness and unconditional love helped her through her insecurities. Still, despite having a supportive partner, Rupali admitted she found it difficult to accept her own body. These changes, though natural, were not easy to deal with emotionally.

Her experience points out the larger issue of how society often puts pressure on women to look a certain way, even after giving birth. In many cultures, especially patriarchal ones, a woman's appearance continues to be unfairly tied to her worth. This pressure becomes even more intense during the postpartum period.


However, during the conversation, she also remembered going to Rajan ji when she was offered the role of Anupamaa and asked for some time to lose weight. Rajan ji told her he didn’t want a model but a mother figure. At the time, she didn’t fully understand, but later realised that if she were perfect with a slim waist, flawless skin, and no wrinkles, she might not have been able to portray Anupamaa. The character’s strength comes from her imperfections, and she has since embraced her own imperfections and learned to love herself.

About Rupali's personal front

For the unversed, Rupali Ganguly and Ashwin Verma tied the knot in February 2013, and welcomed their son Rudransh later that August. Ashwin also has two daughters from a previous marriage. Despite Rupali’s fame and presence on television, the couple has kept their family life largely private.